Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing South Bend over Raleigh?

Average tuition in South Bend is $5,600/year less than Raleigh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Raleigh and South Bend private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs South Bend

South Bend averages $5,600/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$7,400/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$5,500/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$15,400/yr	+$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$6,300/yr	+$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$7,400/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$8,900/yr	+$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

Sample Schools

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Raleigh breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Indiana private school costs

Related Comparisons

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About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.